Fairhope protest takes unexpected turn as columnist launches humorous caption contest
By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
FAIRHOPE, Ala. — A 61-year-old woman was arrested during a “No Kings” rally in Fairhope after wearing a giant inflatable costume shaped like male genitalia, drawing widespread attention online and sparking debate about free expression at political protests.
The Fairhope event was part of a nationwide series of “No Kings” rallies, organized to denounce political authoritarianism and promote democracy. Organizers said the gatherings across the U.S. were largely peaceful, but the Alabama demonstration briefly turned chaotic after police intervened over the woman’s attire.
Eyewitnesses said the rally had been “festive and nonviolent” until officers approached the woman, leading to her arrest. The Fairhope Police Department has not released details about the charges or whether her costume violated any local ordinances.
The incident gained national attention after AL.com editorial cartoonist JD Crowe published a commentary describing the arrest as both absurd and emblematic of broader tensions between protest rights and public decency laws. Crowe used the moment to launch a reader caption contest, inviting participants to submit humorous captions for a cartoon depicting the scene.
“How many of Fairhope’s finest does it take to arrest a peacefully protesting 61-year-old lady in a giant inflatable phallic-symbol suit?” Crowe quipped, adding that the image “practically writes its own headlines.”
The arrest has prompted discussions about First Amendment protections and the fine line between political satire and public obscenity. Organizers of the “No Kings” movement said they remain committed to peaceful, creative forms of protest and will continue promoting their message nationwide.